With this obnoxiously long layoff in between the NLDS and NLCS, we’ve had wayyyy too much time to break this series down. Really, there isn’t much left to say. You know the players, you know the situation, you know that the Phillies are on the cusp of history. Now, it’s time to play the game.

Playing the game for the Phillies is none other than Roy Halladay. All week it’s been Halladay & Lincecum, Lincecum & Halladay, and rightfully so. With three Cy Young’s between them already, and likely a fourth on the way, it all comes down to which one can keep the other team off the scoreboard. Halladay hasn’t given up a hit in the postseason, as you know, and honestly, with the way the Giants offense is built, I wouldn’t expect too many in this game, either.

Tim Lincecum, some said, had the better game in the NLDS. Sure he gave up two hits to Halladay’s one, but a few believed it a little more dominating. You’d be an idiot to believe that, however, Lincecum was about as good as it gets in Game 1 of round one without being perfect. The Phillies have had varying success against “The Freak” in the past, so it’s hard to tell what we’ll get here. You can’t really look back before 2010, because this Phillies team is very much different than past seasons. However, in April, the Phillies rallied against he and Brian Wilson for a 7-6, extra innings victory that proves he can be beaten if patience is used.

Patience. Can the Phillies use a little? Like Axl Rose said, all we need is just a little bit of it and the Phillies will need to heed his advice. Lincecum wants them to chase balls down and out of the zone, working off his low-to-mid 90’s fastball. The question is, can they. I wouldn’t expect too much in the way of offense here on either side. But it’ll come down to who puts together that one inning of a few hits. They’ll be hard to come by.

A few things to think about:

The winner of Game 1 of the NLCS has advanced to the World Series 15 of the last 18 years. Only the 2006 Cardinals, 2005 Astros, and 1991 Braves were able to buck the trend.

In the playoffs thus far, the Giants and Phillies pitching staffs have combined for a 1.04 ERA. Game 2 starter Roy Oswalt gave up the most earned runs in the opening round with three over five innings.

With a series victory, the Phillies would become the first National League team ever to win six NLCS’s. Atlanta, St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Cincinnati have each won five.

Over the last three postseasons, the Phillies are 7-0 in Game 1’s. Their last game one loss was against the Rockies in the 2007 NLDS.

Roy Halladay has one three straight and seven of his last eight at home, including the no-hitter against the Reds.

Tim Lincecum is 0-1 lifetime at CBP with a 3.66 ERA.

Carlos Ruiz is a .345 lifetime hitter in the NLCS and has reached base safely in each of his last 23 postseason games. Chooch is red hot in October.

Buster Posey led the NL in hits in round one with six. He, too, is on fire.

Poured a medium amber color with a thick white head that laces down the glass nicely. The aroma has an initial blast of citrus hops, grapefruit, pineapple, caramel malt, and floral sweetness. It was named one of the top beers in the world by Beer Advocate, whom I trust. It’s also a local beer (kinda) coming from Harrisburg, PA. It should be a nice beer to sip on for tonight’s game while you’re, hopefully, grilling steaks and asparagus on the grill. My mouth is watering for that. And a win. AND A WIN! –by Pat